Search Results (291)

Welfare assessment for the endangered red panda (Ailurus fulgens) in captivity requires systematic behaviour monitoring, yet traditional direct observation is often limited by observer subjectivity and time constraints. This study evaluates the feasibility of employing machine learning (ML) to automate behavioural monitoring of a red panda in a complex, mixed-species enclosure at Aalborg Zoo, Denmark. Using video data from cameras in the enclosure of the red panda, and the ML model LabGym for animal detection and behavioural categorisation, models were trained to analyse activity patterns of the red panda. The results demonstrate that, while the behaviour categorizer is a promising tool with high classification confidence, the overall system effectiveness is currently limited by the object detector’s performance in a naturalistic environment. Challenges such as environmental obstructions (e.g., rocks, foliage, and trees) and the animal’s camouflage contributed to a significant amount of unclassified time, which may affect the overall assessment of behavioural distribution. We conclude that, while ML holds potential for non-invasive behaviour monitoring, its application in complex zoo settings requires improved detection capabilities to be fully reliable. Future iterations of this system could be enhanced by complementing standard object detection with pose estimation frameworks. Implementing alternative labelling strategies or background subtraction methods could additionally mitigate the detection challenges posed by environmental obstruction. Full article

The Spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca) is a long-lived terrestrial reptile listed as ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List and protected under CITES Appendix II. As an ecosystem engineer, it plays a vital role in Mediterranean landscapes, yet it frequently faces anthropogenic pressures in urban environments. This study provides an ecological and ethological assessment of a captive T. graeca population (n = 42) in the historical Münire Madrasa Handicrafts Bazaar in Kastamonu, Türkiye. The methodology integrated spatial carrying capacity modeling (Boullon model), systematic ethogram-based observations (120 h), and ethnozoological surveys (n = 200). Spatial analysis revealed that the population exceeds the corrected Real Carrying Capacity (RCC ≈ 10) by four times (Overcapacity Index: 4.2) within the 70 m² area. Ethological findings documented chronic stress, with stereotypic pacing (H1) occupying 32% of the time budget, alongside a significant loss of anti-predator mechanisms due to anthropogenic habituation (İ1). While stakeholders (100%, 95% CI: 98.1–100%) perceive the tortoises as cultural symbols of abundance, the biological reality indicates severe welfare risks, including potential metabolic bone disease from a monotonous anthropogenic diet and a disrupted Ca:P ratio. The site is categorized as a ‘High-Constraint Interaction Zone’. We propose a management transition toward a monitored ‘Urban Wildlife Education Station’ to align local cultural values with international animal welfare and conservation standards. Full article

The global exotic pet trade has expanded in recent decades, raising concerns related to animal welfare, biodiversity conservation, and compliance with international regulations. Reptiles and amphibians constitute a major component of this trade, yet information on species availability and trade practices at exotic pet fairs remains limited. The primary aim of this study was to identify the reptile and amphibian species offered for sale at an exotic pet fair in Warsaw, Poland. Secondary objectives were to assess the declared origin of the animals and the availability of information regarding their legal and conservation status. Photographic documentation of all exhibition tables was used to record species identity, number of individuals, and labeling practices. In total, 818 individuals representing 74 species from 31 families were recorded. Reptiles, particularly squamates, dominated the assemblage, while amphibians accounted for a smaller proportion of the animals offered. More than half of the individuals were labeled as captive-bred, whereas only a small fraction were identified as imported or wild-caught; however, information on origin was absent for nearly half of the animals. Over 50% of the recorded species were listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, yet no visible information on legal or conservation status was provided at the point of sale. These findings indicate that inconsistent labeling limits transparency and informed decision-making by buyers. Full article

Understanding how environmental enrichment influences behavioural time allocation is particularly important for threatened primate species maintained under human care. Accordingly, we investigated whether environmental enrichment (EE) influences behavioural time allocation in yellow-breasted capuchin monkeys (Sapajus xanthosternos), aiming to inform evidence-based husbandry practices in zoological settings. Employing the standard ethological approach of behavioural coding, we observed 20 capuchins housed in three groups comprising adult and juvenile males and females. We recorded behavioural categories including: aggressive, exploratory, affiliative/play, general activity, alert, inactivity, and abnormal behaviour. To evaluate individual engagement with EE, we applied the ABA paradigm, wherein phases A1 and A2 (controls) represented standard zoo conditions, while phase B corresponded to the implementation of an EE programme. Each phase spanned 10 days, and behavioural data were collected via focal animal sampling (2 × 10 min focal sessions per animal per day), resulting in a total of 1200 focal sessions. Behavioural time allocation was analysed using a multivariate generalized linear mixed modelling approach that accounted for the interdependence among behavioural categories. Based on previous studies, we predicted that environmental enrichment may promote higher levels of play and exploration and lower aggression and inactivity. However, despite by-eye suggestions of increases in play and decreases in activity during enrichment, when behavioural categories were analysed simultaneously within the multivariate framework, overall behaviour time budgets and behavioural diversity were found not to change significantly across experimental phases. There were also no sex or age effects on behaviour. This indicates that for S. xanthosternos, the enrichment protocol used here did not provide sufficient novelty or complexity to alter established activity patterns. Integrated analytical approaches are needed to further evaluate the effectiveness of enrichment strategies to ensure they are tailored to specific cognitive and social needs of complex species; future studies could explore how social dynamics, enclosure design, and environmental complexity interact to shape behavioural responses to enrichment. Full article

Forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii) are endangered ungulates, and captive breeding has been effective for its ex situ conservation and sustainable medicinal musk utilization in traditional Asian traditional medicine. Methods of focal sampling and all-occurrence recording were used to evaluate the intensity of stereotypic behaviors and personality traits in 25 captive male forest musk deer. Additionally, musk secretion was monitored in this study, and muscone content was measured with gas chromatography, thereby analyzing the interrelationship between their stereotypic behavior, personality traits, and musk secretion. The results revealed no significant differences in stereotypic behaviors or personality traits across age groups (p > 0.05). Individuals with stereotypic behaviors showed a tendency toward secreting higher amounts of musk and muscone content compared to those without stereotypic behaviors, although these differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Furthermore, the exploratory behavior level and active behavior level were not significantly correlated with the secretion amount of musk. However, both the exploratory behavior level and active behavior level exhibited significant positive correlations with muscone content (p < 0.05). These findings provide valuable insights for the breeding, welfare, and ex situ conservation of endangered forest musk deer. Full article

Enclosure space constitutes the fundamental habitat for captive animals, directly influencing domestication success and production performance. Alpine musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster), an endangered ungulate present on the Tibet plateau and surrounding areas, has been commonly farmed in captivity as an essential strategy for the ex situ conservation and sustainable musk production. In captive musk deer farming, understanding spatial selection patterns within enclosures is critical for improving farming practices. To evaluate patterns of space use under captive conditions and the effect of enclosure designing, we studied 70 captive Alpine musk deer housed in 17 enclosures at the Zhuanglang Musk Deer Breeding Farm (Gansu, China) during the summer of 2022 (from July 1st to August 29th). Focal sampling and all-occurrence recording were adopted to collect the behavioral data of the musk deer, and the point occupancy rate was calculated to analyze the enclosure space utilization patterns. The results showed significant differences in activity site selection and shelter use time among captive musk deer (p < 0.05). The central enclosure site (G5), which contains the shelter, exhibited the highest utilization rate (21.21 ± 9.19%). Shelter use was significantly higher in adults (22.09 ± 7.80%) than in subadults (17.27 ± 3.98%) (p < 0.05), and significantly higher in males (29.55 ± 5.65%) than in females (20.86 ± 7.95%) (p < 0.05). However, at equal population density, the shelter use time between all-male and mixed-sex groups was not significant (p > 0.05). These results reveal that captive Alpine musk deer display distinct shelter use patterns, with shelters acting as key spatial resources. Therefore, this study provides practical implications for optimizing enclosure design (e.g., increasing shelter quantity and improving spatial distribution) to enhance the welfare and productivity of captive Alpine musk deer. Full article

Octopus mimus aquaculture has gained relevance owing to its commercial potential; however, optimization of its reproductive and growth conditions in captivity requires further study. The objective of this study was to evaluate the reproductive conditioning, morphometric growth, and water quality of this species in a controlled system. To do this, adult O. mimus were selected and kept in circular tanks with controlled temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, and salinity. Weight, total length (TL), mantle length (ML), and arm length (AL) measurements were made, in addition to monitoring seawater quality throughout the conditioning cycle. Paralarvae hatching productions were recorded, and Fulton’s condition index (k) was calculated to assess octopus health. The results showed that larger females produced more paralarvae, and that temperature significantly influenced the incubation period. The morphometric relationships between TL, ML, and LA were highly correlated, particularly in females. The seawater quality, with temperatures close to 22 °C, dissolved oxygen between 7.8 and 9.2 mg/L, 7.1–8.0 pH, and salinity around 35.3 PSU, was optimal for the welfare and reproduction of octopuses. This study provides keys to the effective management of O. mimus in aquaculture, with an emphasis on the importance of proper water quality management and the selection of larger broodstock. Full article

The tiger (Panthera tigris) is an apex predator and plays a fundamental role in sustaining biodiversity through its native range in Asia. By controlling populations of large herbivores and mesopredators, tigers help maintain the structural integrity of habitats, thereby supporting a diverse array of flora and fauna. Despite its ecological importance, the tiger is one of the most threatened large carnivores globally. It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, although threat categories vary among subspecies, and it is listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which covers all tiger subspecies. Over the past two decades, global tiger populations have declined by more than 90%. Consequently, they have become the focus of conservation efforts, including captive breeding and reintroduction initiatives. However, the reintroduction of captive-bred tigers into natural habitats presents significant scientific and logistical challenges. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the complexities of using captive tigers for reintroduction programs, with particular attention to welfare and behavioral competence of captive individuals, and genetic diversity and health of founder populations. It further addresses critical considerations for habitat suitability and managing potential human-tiger conflict and evaluates the overall effectiveness and feasibility of tiger reintroduction as a conservation strategy. Full article

Molting is an important biological and physiological stage in penguins, influenced by environmental and nutritional factors. Feather composition analysis before and after molting can consequently place boundaries on element bioaccumulation and excretion. We quantified and compared elemental concentrations in African penguin (Spheniscus demersus) feathers collected pre- and post-molt across three zoos to evaluate how molt stage and zoo-specific conditions influence feather elemental composition. Feathers were retrieved from individual penguins at Zoom Torino (Italy), Overloon ZooParc (Netherlands), and Zoo Magdeburg (Germany). Quantification of elemental concentrations were performed by analytical methods, with both ICP-OES and HR-ICP-MS techniques. A statistical approach involving MANOVA and factorial analysis helped identify important trends. Pre-molt features had more variability than post-molt, with both showing significant differences in elemental concentrations. Factorial analysis showed geogenic trends in Mg, Sr, and Ni trends as well as anthropogenic trends in Pb. While Na and K differed among all treatment groups, this likely points to physiological adaptations in response to increased demand during feather regrowth. Additionally, inter-zoo comparisons highlighted distinct elemental profiles linked to local environmental and dietary conditions, particularly in Zoo Magdeburg, where Na levels were markedly elevated. This study highlights the influence of environmental and dietary conditions on feather composition during molt, offering insights for improving captive penguin welfare and broader ecological implications related to climate change and pollution. Full article

The pygmy hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis, Morton, 1849) is classified as Endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Compared to other large, threatened mammals, this species remains relatively understudied and new findings indicate potential welfare concerns, emphasizing the need for further research on the species welfare in zoological institutions. One approach to improving welfare in captivity is through environmental enrichment. This study investigated the effects of olfactory enrichment on three individual pygmy hippopotamuses through behavioral analysis and heat-map visualization. Using continuous focal sampling, several behaviors were influenced by the stimuli, with results showing a general decrease in inactivity and an increase in environmental engagement and interaction, particularly through scenting behavior. To further enhance behavioral quantification, machine learning techniques were applied to video data, comparing manual and automated behavior classification using the pose estimation program SLEAP. Four behaviors Standing, Locomotion, Feeding/Foraging, and Lying Down were compared. A confusion matrix, time budgets, and Kendall’s Coefficient of Concordance (W) were used to assess agreement between methods. The results showed a strong and moderate agreement between manual and automated annotations, for the female and calf, respectively. This demonstrates the potential of automation to complement behavioral observations in future welfare monitoring. Full article

In Pteropus spp., metabolic bone disease has been consistently associated with fruit-based diets that are deficient in calcium, vitamin D precursors, and protein, as well as limited ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure, as reported in zoological surveys and clinical observations. Comparative mammalian physiology suggests that dysregulation of the endocrine axis involving parathyroid hormone (PTH), fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), calcitonin, and calcitriol may contribute to disease development, although direct species-specific endocrine data in flying foxes remain scarce. This narrative review synthesizes current knowledge from published zoological reports, clinical observations, and comparative mammalian physiology regarding the etiology, pathophysiology, and clinical expression of metabolic bone disease in captive flying foxes. Much of the available evidence is derived from juvenile Pteropus vampyrus, and its applicability to other Pteropus species remains to be fully established. The limited availability and consistency of existing data, together with the scarcity of controlled experimental and longitudinal studies, necessarily constrain the conclusions that can be drawn. Nevertheless, this review highlights key nutritional and environmental risk factors and summarizes evidence-informed preventive management strategies to improve skeletal health and welfare in managed Pteropus populations. Full article

The behavior of individual animals reflects both internal states and external context. For captive animals, their early life experiences can influence later adjustment, particularly their social competence. In addition, the way in which they are housed and their current social grouping context are important factors affecting the expression of social skills. Here, the social behavior of 39 chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) was observed to assess whether differences existed due to how the apes were reared and grouped. Behaviors recorded related specifically to five main components: Sociability, Grooming, Play, Responsibility and Aggression. Chimpanzees in larger groups groomed and played more, while those housed in pairs or trios displayed more and spent more time alone. Mother-reared chimpanzees took more responsibility for soliciting grooming, and interactions between grouping and rearing on chimpanzee agonistic display rates highlighted how both hand- and mother-reared chimpanzees display more if housed in small groups rather than large. Implications for the optimal management and welfare of this highly intelligent and social species are discussed in light of the importance of early life experiences in modulating the impact of current social environment on chimpanzee social profiles. Full article

The Guizhou snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus brelichi), a critically endangered primate endemic to China’s Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve, faces severe population decline, with fewer than 850 individuals remaining in the wild. As a high-altitude species adapted to long, snowy winters, its survival depends on behavioral thermoregulation and energy conservation. However, how these behaviors are expressed in captivity remains unclear. To examine behavioral responses to cold conditions, we analyzed the daily activity rhythms and spatial preferences of R. brelichi under winter conditions. Continuous focal observations and instantaneous scan sampling (every 60 s, 07:00–20:00) were conducted across three consecutive snowy days. The monkeys spent most of their time in sleep, with additional time devoted to awake thermoregulatory behaviors. Spatial use was uneven, with outdoor platform most utilized and indoor ground areas least used. Activity showed distinct daily rhythms, with locomotion peaking in the early morning and evening, and foraging concentrated in the late afternoon. Spatial behavior also displayed cyclical patterns, including consistent outdoor platform use and bimodal reliance on indoor foraging and ground areas. These findings provide the first detailed behavioral and spatial profile of R. brelichi in winter captivity, revealing short-term behavioral adjustments to cold conditions and highlighting constraints imposed by enclosure design. The results offer baseline data for improving welfare and enclosure management for this and other cold-adapted primates. Full article

Marine mammals have been successfully maintained under human care; however, the media, public, and professionals within the field frequently voice welfare concerns. This study systematically surveyed peer-reviewed (PR) literature from 1948 to 2024 (n = 1308) and included an opportunistic sample of non-peer-reviewed (NPR) literature from the past 40 years (n = 756) to evaluate research efforts associated with species housed in zoos and aquariums. The current study updates and extends previous efforts to assess research categories. The findings indicate that the volume of research published mirrors the species abundance in human care. Across taxa, PR papers concentrate on science that enhances the understanding of biological functions (Acoustics, Biology, Breeding, Behaviour, Health) but is not necessarily tailored to improve management or optimal care. In contrast, a substantial portion of the NPR literature focuses on daily handling and management, highlighting Environment and Management and Enrichment-related activities. While welfare-related research has increased in both PR and NPR literature, this review underscores the need for additional welfare-related empirical studies to further enhance animal care and wellbeing. We encourage those involved in the practical care of such taxa to empirically evaluate these interventions and disseminate their findings in the PR literature. Full article

We quantified how exhibit design and routine management shape behavior and space use in captive harbor seals (Phoca vitulina). Using a species-specific ethogram, scan sampling and focal follows on adult females housed in a modern zoo exhibit, we estimated time budgets, mapped space use across depth-defined zones, and modeled behavior sequences as first-order transition networks. Locomotion dominated activity (swimming/active travel), with resting and enrichment-related behaviors next most frequent; social and play behaviors occurred at low but non-negligible rates. Seals showed clear depth preferences, concentrating active swimming in deeper zones and using liminal/shallow areas for rest. Transition graphs revealed stable, low-entropy loops (e.g., swim → turn/pace → swim) consistent with repetitive locomotor routines, while enrichment and feeding windows temporarily diversified sequences and increased exploration. Overall, integrating time budgets with Markov-style transition analysis and spatial heatmaps provides a compact welfare-oriented dashboard: it identifies where exhibit depth and refuge availability support positive behavioral diversity, flags repetitive cycles as targets for enrichment, and offers actionable metrics to evaluate husbandry changes over time. Full article